Eat Well, Live Well! Age UK Gateshead launches an ambitious project to tackle
the malnutrition suffered by older people living in our communities.
One million (1 in 10) older people in Englandi are at risk of or are suffering from
malnutrition, making them more susceptible to poor health. The condition often goes
undiagnosed or untreated because people wrongly assume that a smaller appetite
and losing weight is a normal part of ageing.
Ninety three per cent of malnourished older people live at home in the community,
making it critical that awareness is raised. One in three older people admitted to
hospital are already malnourished (or at risk of becoming so), making them more
susceptible to infections and making speedy recovery from other conditions much
more difficult.
Age UK Gateshead is working closely with Gateshead’s Public Health department,
the Local Authority, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and local care homes and GP
practices to tackle the issue. The project is part of a national Malnutrition Prevention
Programme launched by the Malnutrition Task Forceii, funded by the Department of
Health.
This project aims to increase diagnosis and treatment, improve integrated care and
provide support for older people at risk. It will also raise awareness of the symptoms
among older people and give them advice on how to prevent it.
Age UK Gateshead and its volunteers will be raising awareness and supporting older
people in a number of ways, including holding monthly “Eat Well, Live Well” lunch
events in Low Fell (open to all older people and their carers in the area) from August
until December, providing information sessions and providing shopping services.
Sharon Stuart, Chief Executive Officer for Age UK Gateshead said ‘Malnutrition is a
serious problem affecting too many of our older people in Gateshead. I’m pleased to
be working with the Malnutrition Task Force, and our local partners to support this
work. Older people, their friends and carers must be helped to recognise the
symptoms and risks, and understand what they can do if they are affected or
concerned. We hope our awareness raising, “Eat Well, Live Well” events and
shopping trips will play a part in reducing malnutrition in older people in Gateshead.’
If you would like to volunteer as part of this project or to find out more about the
activities, please visit our website at www.ageukgateshead.org.uk or contact Sharon
Dryden on 0191 477 3557, sharon.dryden@ageukgateshead.org.uk
i
BAPEN
The Malnutrition Task Force is an independent group of experts across Health, Social Care and Local
government, it is supported by a wide range of organisations including Age UK, the clinical association BAPEN
and the Royal Voluntary Service , united to address the problem of avoidable and preventable malnutrition in
older people.
ii